The Physiology of Change
Don’t know if any of you guys are dealing with this or not, but I've noticed some dramatic physiological changes in my body lately as I've begun to lose weight. I've had some weird aches and pains, and just felt a general heightened awareness and "aliveness." At any rate, I believe this tingly weirdness is due to the fairly rapid initial weight loss, in that my whole system is in flux right now, and in a healthy way. It has me feeling more energized and alert than I have in years, despite whatever moodiness and anxiety sometimes accompanies that. Anyway, I spent some time looking up the physiology of weight change in order to better understand what I'm going through.
Didn't really find exactly what I was looking for, but did find a report on the subject from Dr. Nicola Scopinaro, a Professor of Surgery at the University of Genoa in Italy that was VERY informative and interesting. I’m going to post the link at the end of this blog entry. Truth be told, the article is very disheartening on some levels, because it addresses some of the physiological impediments to weight reduction, particularly for women. But it heightened my awareness and really made me think seriously about what I'm up against. For any of you guys that have a lot of weight to lose, have struggled or yoyo dieted or just wonder about we are dealing with at our level of problem, it is interesting stuff.
If you can't get through all of it, I really recommend three sections: Physiological Phenomena Opposing Weight Reduction, and right below it Physiological Phenomena Favoring Weight Gain.
Also, for any smokers or former smokers out there, definitely look at the section called The Balance Between Body Weight and Energy Expenditure. In summary, it says that the act of smoking causes a specific thermogenesis which adds into your total energy expenditure and thus helps maintain weight, and that anyone who stops smoking immediately begins to gain weight unless they lower their caloric intake at the same time! I myself gained almost 100 lbs after I quit smoking, and I always thought it was just because I must have started eating a lot more. Knowing that at least a portion of that increase was directly because of the absence of cigarettes as an energy expenditure was important information. Being aware of it before I quit would have come in very handy in terms of trying to sustain a healthier weight. I’m sure your body adjusts to the lack of smoking within a matter of months and then it’s not as much of an issue.
Anyway, it's all important stuff if you guys want to have a look. I find that really understanding what I'm up against is helpful.
Have a fantastic day!
http://www.obesity-online.com/ifso/lecture_scopinaro.htm